Feral deer
Introduced to Australia in the 19th century for recreational hunting and farming, deer populations have since escaped into the wild, and have become a significant environmental concern in South Australia.
Several species exist in the state, with fallow deer being the most abundant in the Murraylands and Riverland region. Fallow deer are medium-sized with a highly variable coat colour, usually fawn with white spots, or dark brown. They have a plump rump patch outlined in black, and the black-topped tail is raised when alarmed. Mature male antlers are flattened at the top and feature numerous points.
Male deer can be highly aggressive during breeding season, posing a threat to humans and animals. Adult male bucks weigh between 50-100 kg, while female does can weigh between 35-55kg.
Deer are highly adaptive and reproduce rapidly, with females often giving birth to one or 2 fawns each year. Their diet includes a wide range of vegetation, such as native plants as well as crops and pastures.
Where are feral deer found?
Fallow deer are found on pastoral land, forests and woodlands with grassy understoreys. Fallow deer feed on grassy clearings and on improved pastures, crops and irrigated horticultural land as the irrigation can provide a cool environment for wallowing which is used for comfort and breeding behaviours.
What are the impacts of feral deer?
Feral deer pose a serious risk to broad acre crop production, viticulture, and horticulture due to grazing impacts, including stripping bark from trees and vines. They also compete with domestic grazing animals and wildlife for grass and water.
Deer can be a biosecurity hazard on farms as they have the ability to help spread diseases like foot and mouth disease as well as weed seeds. They also contribute to soil erosion and land degradation by reducing ground cover and disturbing the soil. They can cause damage to fences and irrigation systems, and also pose a hazard on roads.
The Feral Deer Control Economic Analysis report states current economic losses caused by feral deer in the Murraylands and Riverland equate to around $1.5 million per year, with a prediction that this could increase to more than $70 million over 10 years if the population in not controlled.
What are my responsibilities as a landholder?
In South Australia, feral deer are declared for destruction under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, meaning landholders are required to destroy all feral deer on their properties. Feral deer can be controlled by trapping and shooting. It is important that landholders have a deer management plan that relies on a combination of strategies and techniques for most effective control of this pest. Control efforts are always more effective when landholders work in collaboration with neighbouring properties.
In the Murraylands and Riverland region, feral deer are prohibited from being:
- Sold or traded in any way
- Transported on a public road,
- Released into the region
How can the landscape board support landholders?
The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board can provide expert advice, access to traps and other support to help landholders – contact your local district officer for more information.
How do I report sightings?
To report feral deer sightings, simply download the FeralScan app on your smartphone or visit the FeralScan website.
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